Storage and mixing device

ABSTRACT

A handheld storage and mixing device is disclosed. The device can include first and second separate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity. The first container can be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the second container between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cavities can be substantially sealed from one another. In the second position, a first gas forming ingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the other cavity to form a gas, such as chlorine dioxide gas. The device can have one or more filtered openings to allow gas generated by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients to escape into the ambient environment.

FIELD

This disclosure concerns portable mixing devices, such as containershaving internal cavities for separately storing two or more componentsto be mixed.

BACKGROUND

For certain applications, it is useful to separately store two or morecomponents and then mix the components on demand. For example, two ormore reactants can be separately stored and then mixed to cause achemical reaction. In this way, the reaction can be performed on demandto produce, for example, warming, cooling, or formation of a particularreaction product. Forming a reaction product in this manner isespecially useful if the reaction product is unstable and difficult totransport.

Chlorine dioxide gas is one example of a useful chemical that isdifficult to store and transport and, therefore, typically is formed atits point-of-use. When stored at moderately high concentrations (e.g.,greater than about 15% by volume), chlorine dioxide can explosivelyreact to form chlorine and oxygen. Chlorine dioxide often is used forlarge-scale bleaching and disinfection. For example, chlorine dioxidehas been used to decontaminate houses and buildings containing harmfulmold or bacteria.

Some examples of containers having multiple chambers for separatelystoring components to be mixed are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No.7,083,043 (Sharon) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,393 (Cho) disclose suchcontainers. The containers disclosed in Sharon and Cho, however, havelimited utility and would be ineffective if used for point-of-usegeneration of gases, such as chlorine dioxide.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a handheld storage and mixingdevice. Some embodiments include first and second separate containerseach defining a distinct internal cavity. The first container can bemovable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the second container between afirst position and a second position. In some embodiments, the firstcontainer is permanently attached to the second container at an axis ofrotation. In the first position, the cavities can be substantiallysealed from one another. In the second position, a first gas formingingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas formingingredient in the other cavity to form a gas. The first and second gasforming ingredients can be, for example, mixable to form chlorinedioxide gas. The device can have one or more filtered openings to allowgas generated by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients toescape into the ambient environment. In some embodiments, in the firstposition, one of the first and second containers is substantially sealedagainst air infiltration and the other of the first and secondcontainers includes the one or more filtered openings.

The first and second containers can have opposing faces, each with anopening. In the first position the openings can be substantiallynon-overlapping and in the second position the openings can besubstantially overlapping. The opposing faces can have non-circularperimeters. One of the first and second faces can include a cylindricalprojection sized to fit within a corresponding cylindrical recess in theother of the first and second faces, and the openings can be positionedon respective end portions of the cylindrical projection and thecylindrical recess. An o-ring can be positioned around a side portion ofthe cylindrical projection. In some embodiments, the first and secondgas forming ingredients cannot be accessed without breaking the device.

The disclosed device can be substantially shaped, for example, as anoblate spheroid or a cylinder. In embodiments in which the device issubstantially shaped as a cylinder, the one or more filtered openingscan be positioned on an end of the cylinder. In these and otherembodiments, the one or more filtered openings can be positioned on arounded surface. Each of the first and second containers can have anouter surface with an alignment indicator. These alignment indicatorscan be substantially coplanar when the first container is in one of thefirst and second positions and substantially non-coplanar when the firstcontainer is in the other of the first and second positions. Someembodiments of the device include an opening configured to receive astring.

Some embodiments of the disclosed handheld storage and mixing deviceinclude a first container which defines a first face with a firstopening and a second container which defines a second face with a secondopening. The first and second containers can be substantially shaped asrespective halves of an oblate spheroid. The first container can beconnected to the second container with the first face substantiallyparallel to the second face. The first and second containers can berotatable relative to one another. For example, in a first position, aperimeter of the first face can be substantially aligned with aperimeter of the second face, while the first opening is out ofalignment with the second opening and an internal cavity of the firstcontainer is separate from an internal cavity of the second container.Starting from the first position, rotating the first container 180degrees relative to the second container can cause the perimeter of thefirst face to move out of alignment with the perimeter of the secondface and then back into alignment with the perimeter of the second face.At 180 degrees of rotation, the first opening can be substantiallyaligned with the second opening and the internal cavity of the firstcontainer can be open to the internal cavity of the second container.

Embodiments of the disclosed device can include a solid container otherthan a sphere formed by two connected container halves. Each containerhalf can define a cavity and have an interface surface. The interfacesurfaces of the container halves can be substantially the same shape andsymmetrical with respect to bisecting vertical and horizontal planes. Inaddition, the interface surfaces can substantially align with oneanother both in a first orientation and in a second orientation in whichone of the interface surfaces is rotated 180 degrees relative to theother. When not disposed in either the first or second orientation, theinterface surfaces can be out of alignment.

Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for making a handheld storageand mixing device. These embodiments can include providing a firstcontainer and a second container, each having a mixing opening and aloading opening. The first container then can be connected to the secondcontainer, such that the mixing openings can be moved into or out ofalignment by rotating the first container relative to the secondcontainer. A first gas forming ingredient can be introduced into thefirst container via the first container's loading opening. Similarly, asecond gas forming ingredient can be introduced into the secondcontainer via the second container's loading opening. The first andsecond gas forming ingredients can be combinable to form chlorinedioxide gas. The loading openings of the first and second containersalso can be sealed, such as by placing a cover over each loading openingand welding the cover to the respective container.

Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for performing a chemicalreaction. The method can include providing a handheld storage and mixingdevice comprising a first container and a second container and rotatingthe first container relative to the second container to open aconnection between the first and second containers. The method also caninclude agitating the device, such that a first gas forming ingredientin the first container mixes with a second gas forming ingredient in thesecond container to form a gas. The gas can be released via filteredperforations. In some embodiments, the gas is chlorine dioxide and themethod also includes placing the device in an area in need ofdeodorizing or disinfection after agitating the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the disclosedstorage and mixing device with two sections each having an internalcavity and the sections oriented such that the cavities aresubstantially isolated from one another.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage and mixing device embodimentof FIG. 1 with one section rotated on a central axis approximately 90degrees relative to its position in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage and mixing device embodimentof FIG. 1 with one section rotated on a central axis approximately 180degrees relative to its position in FIG. 1 such that the internalcavities are in communication with one another.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage and mixing device embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a profile view of the storage and mixing device embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the storage andmixing device embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the interface between the twosections.

FIG. 7 is a profile view of one section of the storage and mixing deviceembodiment of FIG. 1 with its face plate removed.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the storage and mixing deviceembodiment of FIG. 1 showing the interrelationship of the primarycomponents.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the disclosedstorage and mixing device with two sections each having an internalcavity and the sections oriented such that the cavities aresubstantially isolated from one another.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the storage and mixing deviceembodiment of FIG. 9 with one section rotated on a central axisapproximately 90 degrees relative to its position in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the storage and mixing deviceembodiment of FIG. 9 with one section rotated on a central axisapproximately 180 degrees relative to its position in FIG. 9 such thatthe internal cavities are in communication with one another.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the storage and mixing device embodiment ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a profile view of the storage and mixing device embodiment ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of the storage andmixing device embodiment of FIG. 9 showing the interface between the twosections.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the storage and mixing deviceembodiment of FIG. 9 showing the interrelationship of the primarycomponents.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of the disclosedstorage and mixing device with three storage sections, one mixingsection, and a rounded overall perimeter.

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of a fourth embodiment of the disclosedstorage and mixing device with three storage sections, one mixingsection, and a triangular overall perimeter.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of thedisclosed storage and mixing device with four storage sections, onemixing section, and a tetrahedral overall shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are embodiments of a storage and mixing device,embodiments of a method for making the storage and mixing device, andembodiments of a method for performing a chemical reaction. Throughoutthis disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, theword “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. Directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,”“front,” “back,” “vertical,” and “horizontal,” are used herein toexpress and clarify the relationship between various elements. It shouldbe understood that such terms do not denote absolute orientation (e.g.,a “vertical” component can become horizontal by rotating the device).With respect to the dimples and perforations described below, the leadlines in the figures point to representative examples only.

FIGS. 1-8 show one embodiment of the disclosed storage and mixingdevice. As shown in FIG. 1, the device 100 includes a first section 102and a second section 104. The first section 102 includes a first faceplate 106, a first shell 108, and a first plug 110. Similarly, thesecond section 104 includes a second face plate 112, a second shell 114,and a second plug 116. An outer surface of the first section 102includes dimples 118 and perforations 120. An outer surface of thesecond section 104 includes dimples 118 and no perforations 120. On anoutside edge of the first plug 110, a continuous passage extends from afirst string opening 122 to a second string opening 124. In someimplementations, an elongated, flexible member (e.g., a string) isrouted through this passage. For example, the device 100 can be attachedto a string loop in this manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first and second sections 102, 104 can rotaterelative to each other on a central axis. The outer surfaces of thefirst and second sections 102, 104 include respective first and secondalignment indicators 126, 128 (shown as arrows in the illustratedembodiment). With the device 100 in a first configuration shown in FIG.1, the first and second alignment indicators 126, 128 are substantiallycoplanar and in close proximity. Rotation of the first section 102relative to the second section 104, as shown in FIG. 2, reorients thedevice 100 into a second configuration shown in FIG. 3. In the secondconfiguration, the first and second alignment indicators 126, 128 arepositioned on opposite sides of the device 100. The relative positionsof the first and second alignment indicators 126, 128, therefore, can beused to visually identify whether the device 100 is in the firstconfiguration or the second configuration. Other embodiments may includealignment indicators that are substantially coplanar when the device isin the second configuration rather than in the first configuration.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view showing the interface between thefirst and second sections 102, 104. As shown in FIG. 6, the second faceplate 112 includes a cylindrical projection 130. The first face plate106 includes a corresponding cylindrical recess 132. An o-ring 134 ispositioned around a side portion of the cylindrical projection 130 so asto form a tight seal when the device 100 is assembled with thecylindrical projection positioned within the cylindrical recess 132. Toconnect the first section 102 to the second section 104, a central screw136 extends through a secondary recess 138 centered on an end portion ofthe cylindrical recess 132 and into a threaded opening 140 in asecondary projection 142 centered on an end portion of the cylindricalprojection 130. The central screw 136 makes no threaded connection tothe first face plate 106, so the first section 102 is free to rotaterelative to the second section 104 and the central screw.

The first and second sections 102, 104 each define an internal cavity.The end portion of the cylindrical recess 132 includes a first opening144 to the internal cavity of the first section 102. Similarly, the endportion of the cylindrical projection 130 includes a second opening 146to the internal cavity of the second section 104. The first and secondopenings 144, 146 are shaped substantially as semicircles. When thedevice 100 is in the first configuration, with the first and secondalignment indicators 126, 128 substantially coplanar, the first andsecond openings 144, 146 are not aligned. Instead, the first opening 144is blocked by the portion of the end portion of the cylindricalprojection 130 not occupied by the second opening 146 and the secondopening is blocked by the portion of end portion of the cylindricalrecess 132 not occupied by the first opening. Thus, in the firstconfiguration, the internal cavities of the first and second sections102, 104 are sealed from each other. When the first and second sections102, 104 are rotated relative to one another, the first and secondopenings 144, 146 move into alignment. In the second configuration, thefirst and second openings 144, 146 are substantially aligned, such thatthe internal cavities of the first and second sections 102, 104 are opento one another.

The second face plate 112 includes two bumps 148 that fit intocorresponding indentations 150 on the first face plate 106 when thedevice 100 is in either the first configuration or the secondconfiguration. Typically, an end user will receive the device 100 in thefirst configuration and then manipulate the first and second sections102, 104 to place the device in the second configuration to activate thedevice. The indentations 150 and bumps 148 provide the user with atactile feel indicating that the first and second face plates 106, 112are aligned with one another. Although the first and second face plates106, 112 in the illustrated embodiment are flat, in other embodiments,they can be curved. As best shown in FIG. 2, when the first section 102is rotated, the cylindrical projection 130 and the cylindrical recess132 are always covered by the opposing face plate. Some portions of thefirst and second face plates 106, 112, however, do become exposed. Inthe illustrated embodiment, these portions include face plate screws 152attaching the first and second face plates 106, 112 to the first andsecond shells 108, 114, respectively. Exposing the face plate screws 152in this way allows the device 100 to be disassembled without the need tobreak any components. In other embodiments, the face plates are attachedto the shells in a manner than does not allow separation of thesecomponents after the device is assembled. For example, the face platescan be welded to the shells. This is useful if it is preferable todiscourage end users from disassembling the device and releasing thecontents of one or more of the internal cavities.

FIG. 7 is a profile view of the internal cavity of the first section102. The first shell 108 and the first plug 110 are shown without thefirst face plate 106. Four screw-receiving columns 154 are attached toan inside wall of the first shell 108 to receive the face plate screws152. In embodiments in which the first face plate 106 is attached byanother method, the screw-receiving columns 154 can be eliminated. Twopieces of filter paper 156 line the major internal surfaces of the firstshell 108 below the perforations 120. If the cavity contains a solidmedia with a grain size larger than the pore size of the filter paper156, the solid media will be contained, but gas will be able to enterinto and exit from the cavity via the perforations 120. The secondsection 104 of the device 100 has no perforations 120, so filter paper156 is not necessary on an internal surface of the second shell 108.Aside from this difference, the internal cavity of the second section104 is similar to the internal cavity of the first section 102, as shownin FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the device 100. As shown in FIG. 8, thefirst and second plugs 110, 116 can be separated from the first andsecond shells 108, 114, respectively. In the process of making thedevice 100, after the first and second face plates 106, 112, have beenattached to the first and second shells 108, 114, respectively, andattached to each other by the central screw 136, the internal cavitiescan be partially or fully filled with media prior to placement of thefirst and second plugs 110, 116. After the media has been introduced andthe first and second plugs 110, 116 have been put into place, the firstand second plugs can be permanently attached to the first and secondshells 108, 114, respectively, such as by welding. Similar to attachmentof the first and second face plates 106, 112 to the first and secondshells 108, 114, respectively, as discussed above, permanently attachingthe first and second plugs 110, 116 to the first and second shells 108,114, respectively, prevents end users from accessing the contents of theinternal cavities. After attaching the first and second face plates 106,112 and the first and second plugs 110, 116 to the first and secondshells 108, 114, respectively, the first and second sections 102, 104become permanently attached because there is no way to access thecentral screw 136 without breaking the device 100.

FIGS. 9-15 show another embodiment of the disclosed storage and mixingdevice. As shown in FIG. 9, the device 200 includes a first section 202and a second section 204. The first section 202 includes a first shell206 and a first cap 208. Similarly, the second section 204 includes asecond shell 210 and a second cap 212. The upward facing sides of thefirst and second sections 202, 204 in FIG. 1 both include dimples 214.The first cap 208 includes cap perforations 216, whereas the second cap208 is not perforated. Similar to the device 100, beginning in a firstconfiguration shown in FIG. 9, the first section 202 can be rotatedrelative to the second section 204 to reorient the device 200 into asecond configuration shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 10 shows the rotation inprogress. In the second configuration, the upward facing side of thefirst section 202 includes shell perforations 218 and some dimples 214near the first cap 208. In contrast, the upward facing side of thesecond section 204 includes dimples 214 only. As with the device 100,first and second alignment indicators 220, 222 on the first and secondshells 206, 210, respectively, can be used to visually identify whetherthe device 200 is in the first configuration or the secondconfiguration.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view showing the interface between thefirst and second sections 202, 204. Unlike the device 100, the first andsecond shells 206, 210 contact each other directly with no interveningface plates. At its connecting end, the second shell 210 includes acylindrical projection 224 that fits into a cylindrical recess 226 at aconnecting end of the first shell 206. An o-ring 228 is positionedaround a side portion of the cylindrical projection 224 so as to form atight seal when the device 200 is assembled with the cylindricalprojection positioned within the cylindrical recess 226. To connect thefirst section 202 to the second section 204, a central screw 230 extendsthrough a secondary recess 232 centered on an end portion of thecylindrical recess 226 and into a threaded opening 234 in a secondaryprojection 236 centered on an end portion of the cylindrical projection224. The central screw 230 makes no threaded connection to the firstshell 206, so the first section 202 is free to rotate relative to thesecond section 204 and the central screw.

The first and second sections 202, 204 each define an internal cavity.The end portion of the cylindrical recess 232 includes a first opening238 to the internal cavity of the first section 202. Similarly, the endportion of the cylindrical projection 224 includes a second opening 240to the internal cavity of the second section 204. The first and secondopenings 238, 240 are shaped substantially as semicircles. When thedevice 200 is in the first configuration, with the first and secondalignment indicators 220, 222 substantially coplanar, the first andsecond openings 238, 240 are not aligned. Instead, the first opening 238is blocked by the portion of the end portion of the cylindricalprojection 224 not occupied by the second opening 240 and the secondopening is blocked by the portion of the end portion of the cylindricalrecess 226 not occupied by the first opening. Thus, in the firstconfiguration, the internal cavities of the first and second sections202, 204 are sealed from each other. When the first and second sections202, 204 are rotated relative to one another, the first and secondopenings 238, 240 move into alignment. In the second configuration, thefirst and second openings 238, 240 are substantially aligned, such thatthe internal cavities of the first and second sections 202, 204 are opento one another.

The connecting end of the second shell 210 includes two rectangularprojections 242 (one shown in FIG. 14) that fit into correspondingindentations 244 on the connecting end of the first shell 206 when thedevice 200 is in either the first configuration or the secondconfiguration. The projections 242 and indentations 244 create a tactilefeel to the user, denoting when the first and second sections 202, 204are aligned with one another (either in the first configuration or the180 degree rotated second configuration). Similar to the device 100, thedevice 200 includes filter paper (not shown) lining the internalsurfaces of the first shell 206 under both the cap perforations 216 andthe shell perforations 218. The second section 204 of the device 200 hasno cap perforations 216 or shell perforations 218, so filter paper isnot necessary on an internal surface of the second shell 210. Aside fromthis difference, the internal cavity of the second section 204 issimilar to the internal cavity of the first section 202. As shown inFIG. 15, the first and second caps 208, 212 can be separated from thefirst and second shells 206, 210, respectively. Thus, the first andsecond caps 208, 212 can serve a covering function similar to that ofthe first and second plugs 110, 116 of the device 100, as describedabove.

The “sections” and “containers” referred to herein can have one cavityor more than one cavity. For example, the device 100 shown in FIGS. 1-8and the device 200 shown in FIGS. 9-15 can be modified such that one orboth of the first and second sections 102, 202, 104, 204 includes morethan one cavity. Multiple cavities can be separated, for example, byinterfaces similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-15 between the first andsecond sections 102, 202, 104, 204. For example, one of the cavitieswithin a section or container can serve as a mixing area while a gasforming ingredient is stored in another cavity within the same sectionor container. In embodiments having filtered perforations opening to theoutside environment, the filtered perforations can open to certaincavities within a section or container and not to other cavities withinthe same section or container. For example, some disclosed embodimentsinclude first and second sections or containers each including a cavitywith no filtered openings. These cavities can be used to store gasforming ingredients. In addition, one of the sections or containers caninclude a cavity with filtered openings to release gas formed after thegas forming ingredients are mixed. If the cavity with filtered openingsis within the second section or container, for example, activating thedevice can include rotating the first section or container and rotatinga portion of the second section or container. The rotated portion of thesecond section or container can be a portion including the cavitycontaining the gas forming ingredient or a portion including the cavitywith filtered openings.

Embodiments of the disclosed device also can include more than twostorage cavities. FIGS. 16 and 17 are schematic plan views of two suchembodiments. The devices 300, 400 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 eachinclude a first storage section 302, 402, a second storage section 304,404, a third storage section 306, 406, and a mixing section 308, 408,each with an internal cavity. In the devices 300, 400, the interfacesbetween each of the storage sections 302, 402, 304, 404, 306 406 and therespective mixing section 308, 408 are similar in structure to theinterfaces described above with regard to the device 100 of FIGS. 1-8and the device 200 of FIGS. 9-15. As in these embodiments, the devices300, 400 can be activated by rotating each storage section 302, 402,304, 404, 306 406 one hundred eighty (180) degrees from theconfigurations shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. This causes openings at theinterfaces between each of the storage sections 302, 402, 304, 404, 306406 and the respective mixing section 308, 408 to become aligned,allowing the contents of each storage section to enter the respectivemixing section. Unlike the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-15, the devices300, 400 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 include perforations 310, 410 in themixing sections 308, 408 only, allowing each of the storage sections302, 402, 304, 404, 306 406 to be substantially sealed prior toactivation.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of yet another embodiment of thedisclosed device. The device 500 shown in FIG. 18 is shapedsubstantially as a tetrahedron. The device 500 includes a first storagesection 502, a second storage section 504, a third storage section 506,a fourth storage section 508, and a mixing section 510, each with aninternal cavity. Perforations 512 are included on each of the four sidesof the mixing section 510. Unlike the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-17,in the device 500, the sides of each storage section 502, 504, 506, 508become aligned with the sides of the mixing section 510 in threedifferent positions (rather than two). The openings at the interfacebetween each of the storage sections 502, 504, 506, 508 and the mixingsection 510 can be sized and shaped accordingly. For example, ratherthan being shaped substantially as semicircles (as in the devices 100,200), the openings can be shaped substantially as wedges encompassingapproximately one third of a circle. These openings can be positioned inadjacent disks similar to the end portions of the cylindricalprojections 130, 224 and the cylindrical recesses 132, 226 of thedevices 100, 200. The remaining two thirds of these disks can be solid.Alternatively, in one of the disks, the remaining two thirds can besolid and in the other disk, one third can be solid and one third can bepartially open (e.g. grated): This latter configuration would allow thethree positions of each storage section 502, 504, 506, 508 to representclosed, partially open and fully open configurations, respectively. Thepartially open configuration can be used, for example, to regulate theflow of media into the mixing section 510.

As demonstrated by the embodiments described above, the disclosedstorage and mixing device can have many different shapes. For example,the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8 and 16 are shaped substantially asoblate spheroids, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-15 is shapedsubstantially as an oblate cylindroid, the embodiment shown in FIG. 17is triangular, and the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is shapedsubstantially as a tetrahedron. In other embodiments, the device maysubstantially resemble some other shape, such as a prolate spheroid, aprolate cylindroid, a sphere, a hemisphere, a cylinder, a half-cylinder,a pyramid or a cube. Typically, embodiments of the device are at leastpartially rounded in shape. For example, the device 500 shown in FIG. 18has substantially rounded corners. Other embodiments, however, may haveonly sharp corners and substantially resemble polyhedrons. The devicecan be any size, but typically is compact and handheld. For example, thedevice can have a total volume between about 5 cm³ and about 5000 cm³,such as between about 10 cm³ and about 1000 cm³ or between about 15 cm³and about 200 cm³.

In some embodiments of the disclosed storage and mixing device,including the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-18, the opposing facesof adjacent sections are not perfectly round. As a result, rotating onesection relative to an adjacent section causes the perimeters of thefaces of the adjacent sections to move out of alignment and then backinto alignment. The perimeters are substantially aligned only while thedevice is in one of a particular number of configurations (e.g., twoconfigurations separated by 180 degrees of rotation in the devices 100,200, 300 and 400 shown in FIGS. 1-17 or three configurations separatedby 120 degrees of rotation in the device 500 shown in FIG. 18). Thisencourages the end user to maintain the device in one of theseconfigurations, rather than in an intermediate configuration. Theconfigurations can include, for example, an inactive configuration(e.g., a storage configuration) and an active configuration (e.g., amixing configuration). The function of the device can be switched byrotating one or more sections (or portions of sections) relative to oneor more adjacent sections (or portions of sections).

Embodiments of the disclosed device can serve a variety of functions.For example, some embodiments can be used to separately store two ormore different types of media and then allow the media to be mixed ondemand. The media can include chemical reactants that produce, forexample, warming, cooling or formation of particular reaction productswhen mixed. In typical embodiments, the media is substantially solid andproduces a gaseous reaction product when mixed. Unlike conventionalstorage and mixing devices, some embodiments of the disclosed device aredesigned to separately store substantially solid media and then allowthe release of a gaseous reaction product after the media has beenmixed. The media can be preloaded into the device so that an end userneed only activate the device to mix the media and generate the gaseousproduct. Activating the device can include, for example, rotating onecontainer relative to another container to open a passage between thecontainers and agitating the device to promote mixing.

Chlorine dioxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide are threeexamples of useful gases that can be generated in the manner describedabove. Reactants that can be used to produce these gases are described,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,278,112, 5,314,852, 5,464,598,5,567,405, 5,573,743, 5,730,948, 5,776,850, 5,853,689, 5,883,739,5,885,543, 6,174,508, 6,379,643, 6,423,277, 6,423,289, 6,458,735,6,503,419, and 7,087,190, which are incorporated herein by reference.Chlorine dioxide gas has long been used for large-scale bleaching anddisinfection, but its utility for small-scale applications has not beenappreciated. When generated in small quantities, chlorine dioxide gas issafe enough for use by ordinary consumers. Small quantities of chlorinedioxide gas can be used, for example, to deodorize and/or disinfecthousehold items, such as shoes, gym bags, and drawers, as well asspaces, such as closets and bathrooms.

Reactants for generating products, such as chlorine dioxide gas, oftenare sensitive to contact with the ambient environment. For example, somesolid reactants used to produce chlorine dioxide gas become deactivatedby prolonged exposure to atmospheric moisture. Thus, some embodiments ofthe disclosed device include at least one cavity that can besubstantially sealed until the device is activated and the reactants aremixed. For example, in the device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, theinternal cavity of the second section 104 includes no perforations 120and, thus, is substantially sealed. For additional sealing, the secondface plate 112 and the second plug 116 can be welded to the second shell114 so that the only opening into the internal cavity is the secondopening 146. When the device 100 is moved into the second configuration,the first and second openings 144, 146 are aligned so that the media inthe internal cavities of the first and second sections 102, 104 can bemixed. A gaseous product then can escape the device 100 via theperforations 120 in the first shell 108.

Some embodiments of the disclosed device are configured so as tomaximize the area through which the gaseous product can exit into theatmosphere regardless of the orientation of the device. For example, thedevice 100 shown in FIGS. 1-8 is shaped to lie with its long axis in thehorizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 5, in this orientation, substantiallyall of the perforations 120 on the top and bottom sides of the firstshell 108 are not blocked from releasing gas into the surroundingatmosphere. The same is true in the vertically opposite orientation.With the device 200 shown in FIGS. 9-15, gas can escape through the capperforations 216 regardless as to whether the shell perforations 218 arefacing upward or downward. Thus, both the device 100 and the device 200can be thrown onto a flat surface and always have at least some (andpreferably most or all) of their gas exit points unobstructed. Incertain alternative embodiments, some or all of the dimples 118, 214 ofthe devices 100, 200 shown in FIGS. 1-8 and FIGS. 9-15, respectively,can be replaced with perforations.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of thedisclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that theillustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention andshould not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, thescope of the invention is defined by the following claims. I thereforeclaim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit ofthese claims.

1. A handheld storage and mixing device, comprising first and secondseparate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity, the firstcontainer being movable relative to the second container between a firstposition in which the cavities are substantially sealed from one anotherand a second position in which a first gas forming ingredient in one ofthe cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the othercavity to form a gas, the device further comprising one or more filteredopenings to allow the gas to escape into the ambient environment.
 2. Thehandheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein, in thefirst position one of the first and second containers is substantiallysealed against air infiltration and the other of the first and secondcontainers includes the one or more filtered openings.
 3. The handheldstorage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the one or morefiltered openings are positioned on a rounded surface.
 4. The handheldstorage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the device issubstantially shaped as an oblate spheroid.
 5. The handheld storage andmixing device according to claim 1, wherein the device is substantiallyshaped as a cylinder and the one or more filtered openings arepositioned on an end of the cylinder.
 6. The handheld storage and mixingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the first and second containershave opposing faces with non-circular perimeters.
 7. The handheldstorage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein each of thefirst and second containers has an outer surface with an alignmentindicator, the alignment indicators are substantially coplanar when thefirst container is in one of the first and second positions, and thealignment indicators are substantially non-coplanar when the firstcontainer is in the other of the first and second positions.
 8. Thehandheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, furthercomprising an opening configured to receive a string.
 9. The handheldstorage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the firstcontainer is rotatable relative to the second container between thefirst position and the second position.
 10. The handheld storage andmixing device according to claim 9, wherein the first container ispermanently attached to the second container at an axis of rotation. 11.The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein thefirst gas forming ingredient is disposed in the first cavity and thesecond gas forming ingredient is disposed in the second cavity.
 12. Thehandheld storage and mixing device according to claim 11, wherein thefirst and second gas forming ingredients cannot be accessed withoutbreaking the device.
 13. The handheld storage and mixing deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the first and second gas formingingredients can be mixed to form chlorine dioxide gas.
 14. The handheldstorage and mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond containers have opposing faces, each face has an opening, in thefirst position the openings are substantially non-overlapping, and inthe second position the openings are substantially overlapping.
 15. Thehandheld storage and mixing device according to claim 14, wherein one ofthe first and second faces includes a cylindrical projection sized tofit within a corresponding cylindrical recess in the other of the firstand second faces, and the openings are positioned on respective endportions of the cylindrical projection and the cylindrical recess. 16.The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 15, furthercomprising an o-ring positioned around a side portion of the cylindricalprojection.
 17. A handheld storage and mixing device, comprising: afirst container having a first face which defines a first opening; and asecond container having a second face which defines a second opening,wherein the first container is connected to the second container withthe first face substantially parallel to the second face, the first andsecond containers being rotatable relative to one another between afirst position in which a perimeter of the first face is substantiallyaligned with a perimeter of the second face, the first opening is out ofalignment with the second opening, and an internal cavity of the firstcontainer is separate from an internal cavity of the second container,and a second position with one of the containers rotated 180 degreesrelative to the other container in which the perimeter of the first faceagain is substantially aligned with the perimeter of the second face,the first opening is substantially aligned with the second opening, andthe internal cavity of the first container is open to the internalcavity of the second container, the perimeters of the first and secondfaces being out of alignment with one another when not in the first orsecond positions.
 18. The handheld storage and mixing device accordingto claim 17, wherein an outside wall of the device is perforated. 19.The handheld storage and mixing device according to claim 17, whereinthe first container and the second container are substantially shaped asrespective halves of an oblate spheroid.
 20. A solid container otherthan a sphere formed by two connected container halves, each defining acavity, each container half having an interface surface of substantiallythe same shape as the other interface surface, both interface surfacesbeing symmetrical with respect to bisecting vertical and horizontalplanes such that the interface surfaces substantially align with oneanother both in a first orientation and in a second orientation in whichone of the interface surfaces is rotated 180 degrees relative to theother, with the interface surfaces being out of alignment when notdisposed in either the first or second orientation.
 21. A handheldstorage and mixing device, comprising: first storage means for storing afirst gas forming ingredient; second storage means for storing a secondgas forming ingredient; connecting means for connecting first and secondstorage means, such that the first and second gas forming ingredientsare separate from one another and mixable on demand; and releasing meansfor releasing gas formed by mixing the first and second gas formingingredients.
 22. A method for making a handheld storage and mixingdevice, comprising: providing a first container and a second container,each having a mixing opening and a loading opening; connecting the firstcontainer to the second container, such that the mixing openings of thefirst and second containers can be moved into or out of alignment byrotating the first container relative to the second container;introducing a first gas forming ingredient into the first container viathe loading opening of the first container; introducing a second gasforming ingredient into the second container via the loading opening ofthe second container; and sealing the loading openings of the first andsecond containers.
 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein sealingthe loading openings of the first and second containers comprisesplacing a cover over each loading opening and welding the cover to therespective container.
 24. The method according to claim 22, wherein thefirst and second gas forming ingredients are combinable to form chlorinedioxide gas.
 25. A method for performing a chemical reaction,comprising: providing a handheld storage and mixing device comprising afirst container and a second container; rotating the first containerrelative to the second container to open a connection between the firstand second containers; and agitating the device, such that a first gasforming ingredient in the first container mixes with a second gasforming ingredient in the second container to form a gas, wherein thegas is releasable via filtered perforations.
 26. The method according toclaim 25, wherein the gas is chlorine dioxide and the method furthercomprises placing the device in an area in need of deodorizing ordisinfection after agitating the device.